Palmarum

The Rose Bower, a working-class neighbourhood with a rich history, is one of the areas in Haarlem recently plagued by pole fungus in the timber piles. In some parts of the city this meant replacing entire blocks with new housing. Thanks to an emancipated community this particular part of Haarlem was preserved and committed to paper in a very conservative Land Use Plan. Only the most critical parts of the district are being completely replaced while other parts are renovated as part of a large scale urban redevelopment plan for the affected area. On the corner of Palm street and Marum street, a small neighbourhood square forms a tangible border between a largely renovated area and a seriously run-down part of the Rose Bower. It is not a location that lends itself to flashy architecture but is far more suitable for an exercise in modesty in harmony with the environment.